"What Happened?: Neglect!"

Sometimes life can be complicated. At times our actions/reactions just don’t make any sense. No matter how much we contemplate some of life’s issues, there are some instances we label as open-ended conclusions. Simply put, some issues leave us wondering what happened? I imagine all of us have pondered this question.

Consider the following. It's possible you haven't had this experience but over the years I have noticed that my weight continues to rise; my waistline expands and some of my clothes fit me a lot snugger than when I originally purchased them.  Simultaneously, I eat more and either never exercise or at best rarely exercise. Yet, with each successful addition of pounds and inches to my waistline; I find myself saying I don’t understand. Often asking myself and my wife, what happened?

Similar circumstances occur in our spiritual journey. We travel through life as if we are in a high speed chase; frantically attempting to navigate lines only to move toward dead end finishes.  Zooming round and round with NASCAR precision we slowly discover our victorious less filled lapses. When we remain still long enough, we begin to feel our inner selves longing for an ignition; rather than investigate, we hurry to entertain matters which are insignificantly important. We quickly engage ourselves in distractions disguised as work with uttermost consequence. Thus, Empty in the morning, we arise. Empty in the evening, we sleep. With each addition of distractions, we multiply our inaction decreasing the possibility of the Holy Spirit’s attraction! At our unfinished line, we find ourselves asking, what happened?

As I pulled the weeds from my flower beds and trimmed the bushes, what happened was no longer the question. I realized the excess weight, the victorious less life, the weed infested flower bed and wildly grown bushes share a common foe: neglect. Webster’s dictionary defines neglect – to leave undone or unattended to, especially through carelessness. Yes, neglect is a fitting description for that unkempt flower bed. Again neglect aptly defines the expansion of my waistline. And neglect certainly characterizes an empty, powerless spiritual life.

The Good News is every circumstance of neglect can be overcome with attention. Last week my flower beds were unruly, this week they are clear and clean and the bushes neatly trimmed. With attention to what I eat and intentionally exercising, I will experience a decrease in my weight and waistline.

Attention too is the remedy for us when we fall into a spiritual malaise. If we are to be spirit-filled and led by Jesus’ teaching, we must give attention and time to studying the Bible, praying and serving. II Timothy 2:15 describes the necessity of and outcomes of attention:

“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.

Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed

and who correctly explains the word of truth”.

Let us work and give attention to every aspect of our lives, so that we need not ask the question what happened, nor be ashamed of our health, our physical appearance, our dwelling place and most importantly with our relationship with God.

-- 

Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".

I AM True Love, do you know me?

True Love transforms, uproots and shatters the known (the past) – paving the way for a blank canvass, a present written anew. Love produces the impossible. Indeed only the power of Love can provide fertility for a rose to grow through the crack of concrete. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. illustrates the power of Love: “hatred paralyzes life; Love releases it. hatred confuses life; Love harmonizes it. hatred darkens life; Love illuminates it”.

Until our hearts, our minds, our souls experience such a Love we will remain asleep, blinded and in fear of the unknown. In such darkness, we utter ‘change is our enemy’; we believe ‘we are all powerful’; we live only for today – ‘tomorrow is without a future’; we consume ourselves ‘with ourselves’. In essence, we remain lifeless like a valley of dry bones.

Meanwhile, Love awaits our acceptance. Love exploding within longs for our embrace. True Love knows the path that will bring us unspeakable joy; in fact, that path has already been mapped. Only, we must receive it because True Love only extends the offer; always an option but you must choose Love.

How many remain entangled within? Strangled and corrupted by their deeply rooted notion: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of soul” while unknowingly dying a death of a thousand cuts.  As we beat our chest claiming we are the best! True Love cries out:  Let go the reins; Allow me to reign; and I will shower you with an everlasting rain – a rain pouring down, pounding and thundering with relentless grace, mercy, hope and forgiveness.

You will know True Love when you release the reins allowing your present known to be shattered, uprooted and transformed.

I AM True Love, do you know me? 

Today, I want to give you a blank canvass; 

the path to a present anew. 

Have you accepted me?

--

Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton

Lead Pastor

Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: “A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus,

                   committed to becoming and making disciples”.

"Situational Awareness: Are You Minding Your Own Business?"

This Tank Didn't Have It!

Is it possible we need to reconsider our demand of people to mind their own business? I’m well aware some folks are simply nosy for gossip’s sake – finding satisfaction in using information to cause harm to others and/or to promote their own selfish ambitions. But, what could happen if we were active agents of goodwill, primarily seeking to act as ambassadors for Jesus Christ?

What do I mean? Imagine hearing a troubled teenager basking in poor choice after poor choice or a co-worker lamenting over family life challenges. Too often our responses range from being dismissive, judgmental, and indifferent to offering inclusion in future prayers. In these moments we have an opportunity like no other to truly take action as Jesus’ disciples.  Recently, I discovered a term used in the legal field, situational awareness, that we would do well to apply in our interactions. 

Situational awareness is applied in the courtroom as lawyers listen intently for both what the witnesses say and don’t say. The lawyers are listening to attain greater understanding, for inconsistencies in testimonies and other clues to aid in protecting their clients. In addition, lawyers observe body language and employ other measures to gather as much information as possible.  One of the keys to success in the courtroom is the lawyer’s knowledge (being aware) of everything that is happening during the trial.

Which is why, I suggest those of us professing Jesus as Lord begin minding other people’s business through developing the skill of situational awareness. For instance, what if the teenager begins to withdraw; or the once confident co-worker seems distracted and combative; or you notice a Facebook comment indicating your friend is in distress.  These are all opportunities to ask questions, write thoughtful notes, initiate prayer or to listen to the person's troubles, etc. with the only aim - to be a vehicle of Jesus’ love and healing.

In John 8 (vss. 1-11), Jesus demonstrates situational awareness while exposing the nosy people that should just mind their own business!  The nosy people were insensitive, judgmental and dismissive; they attempted to use the gathered information to condemn a woman.  But, Jesus filled with love, compassion and a desire to restore the woman asks a question, v.10 "Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” In verse 11, she replied, “No, Lord”. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more”.

The world needs to experience more people guided by the love of Jesus who utilize situational awareness - daring to ask questions; to provide a listening ear; and most importantly to recognize a person in need. Then, boldly with grace, extend compassion, empathy, and hope.

My Christian sisters and brothers, hurting people are 

waiting for us to stop minding our own business.

-- 

Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".

Weeding Out.

Excerpt from Over 50 Don't Mean Your're Dead: My Spiritual Journey

Over the last few weeks
I have watched
as the gardener
cut back overgrown areas on our work property.
I watched
an overgrown willow tree,
that looked like a "Sesame Street" character, transformed into a real
picture book tree.
I have seen thickets of brush
cut away and turned into mulch
for the area that once was covered.
When I'm home,
I look out and
my neighbor is going through
the same process,
weeding and cutting back.
As I look at the transformation
I think about the changes
that I have gone through
in my life.
How I have been
surrounded by thickets, and
overgrown by the weeds
that have caused me
not to grow.
These things don't
sneak up on us,
they grow
before our eyes.
There comes a day when people can't see who we
are for all the things that have surrounded us.
Many times
thickets have a
life of their own.
Do you ever think about
what it is like to be depressed?
Everything makes your day gray.
The thickets control everything you do.
When the thickets are gone
you feel bare,
exposed.
But now,
you can grow.
You can Be,
and the the world can see that you have your own life. Now, you
need to let God in,
let the Spirit of God
replace those things that
controlled you and kept you confined.
Growth is inevitable and
when challenges come
God is there
to take the reigns
even before you ask.
The weeds will come,
it's up to you to recognize them
and handle (weed and cut them back) before
they control you.

Nedra Groggins-Sage
Author
Over 50 Don't Mean Your're Dead: My Spiritual Journey

Much Love,
Pastor Singleton

"Sharing: A Simple Redemptive Act"

As I strive to raise my little fellas to love and reverence God, memories of the parenting I received often chimes beneath my decisions.  My mom and dad definitely reared us in the old school tradition of: children are to be seen, not heard; because I said so; this is my house, or do as you’re told. Before any civic class I was well versed in authoritarian and monarchy forms of government.

But, mixed or tempered with that hardened old school veneer laid a softer, gentler, humanitarian style of governing. My parents consistently encouraged me to share and often when I lacked the sharing spirit, I received talking to’s on the importance of this benevolent action.  As a child, the gravity of this selfless act escaped me, why give a part of what is mine to someone else? They attempted to explain all the benefits of sharing with others (including but not limited to): honoring God; helping others; providing hope to someone else; and feeling good about myself. Yet, my foolish heart led me to believe accumulation of my own toys; clothes; sporting equipment; and savings from my allowance were most significant.

How could sharing what is mine make me better?

In hindsight, my parents were teaching me how to build community and to be a partner with God. The act of sharing; with true generosity and love for God, brings about an interconnectedness or oneness with others.  When we share, essentially we acknowledge the human worth of all people, we recognize the receiver as one of God's children. 

This simple act; of offering a portion of or all of what one has, is transformative. Most times we will never experience any direct benefit from our actions but to the recipient, the effect is immediate and timely.  Sharing a kind word, giving of money or possessions, offering advice or an opportunity, spending time with someone, sharing in the suffering of another are a few ways we can partner with God and experience oneness with others.

Our willingness to share in many circumstances becomes the answer to prayer.

Sharing (what is mine/yours), a simple act, indeed does make us better! Per usual, I learned my parents were right because I am at my best when I am honoring God, helping others and providing hope to someone else.

In concluding the letter of Hebrews, the author offers both encouragement and admonishment just as my parents did for me in my adolescence:

“And don’t forget to do good and to share with others.

These are the sacrifices that please God”. 

Hebrews 13:16

Each of us can build communities/interconnectedness with others and please God through the simple redemptive act of sharing. But, first we must realize the gravity and importance of this sacred action.

--
Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community
Hoover, AL

Our Vision:  A "diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples."

The Greatest Play Ever!!

Watching sports these days is frustrating, whatever happened to letting your skills or the plays you make speak for themselves.  One might argue trash talking is part of sports and I’m apt to agree but does one have to be demonstrative after every play.  This type of bravado has gotten so out of control that players engage in braggadocios acts even when their team is losing.  Their hyperactivity and overzealous celebrations undermine their skills, the sport and the focus on team.  Often, today’s athletes conduct themselves as more important than the game and as larger than life.

Jesus never focused on himself:

He always centered on fulfilling the playbook of God the Father!

In John 2, Jesus completes one of the most significant plays in his short public ministry. Jesus enters the Temple where he witnesses payday lenders, vendors, and other venture capitalist activities. Filled with righteous indignation, v. 15, “Jesus made a whip of small ropes. He used it to make them all leave the House of God along with the sheep and cattle. He pushed the money off the tables and turned the tables over”. Placing himself in danger Jesus does not beat his own chest nor seek attention but defiantly speaks a word of rebuke, v. 16, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”  

Jesus understood his purpose was larger than life and knew he would be misunderstood and rejected by the multitudes.  Yet, he always presented hope and pointed to fulfillment of Old Testament promises. He often perplexed his hearers; however, over 2,000 years later his promises and the truth continues to resonate in the lives of over 2 billion of his followers worldwide (2011 Pew Forum Research). After ridding the Temple of evildoers, Jesus makes a statement which could be construed as braggadocios, v. 19:

“Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up”.

The religious leaders of Jesus’ time were confounded by his words but this statement foreshadowed the greatest play to ever happen in world history. Jesus being the consummate team player follows a game plan that would lead to a Friday filled with violence, disgrace, suffering and his ultimate execution on a cross. He never beat his chest, never exalted himself even his last breaths centered on God and the Kingdom of God. Jesus remained humble always knowing that his journey was about God’s will being done on earth as it is heaven.

Friday was not an end but a beginning!

Sunday morning marked the impossible! In sports another athlete always comes along lending comparison to a former superstar athlete. But, over 2,000 years ago after being crucified, Jesus fulfills his promise: “Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up” completing a play that had never before been accomplished and never will be duplicated. Every Easter Sunday since - thousands, millions, now billions celebrate the greatest play ever – Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was raised from the dead:

His tomb is empty. Jesus is triumphant over death, sin and evil!

The greatest play ever was not limited to or for one person or one team; in fact, Jesus made this play for everyone – “God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die” (John 3:16).

Share the greatest play ever with someone who has yet to have faith in Him! 

Easter is the play that everyone has opportunity to know, accept and celebrate!!

Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton

Lead Pastor

Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: “A diverse community of faith, inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples.”

The Best Prepared and Trained Fighter!

Years ago, I really followed boxing, you know the 'good ol days' of Ali-Holmes, Ali-Norton, Ali-Spinks, Hagler-Leonard, Leonard-Hearns, Hagler-Hearns, Hearns-Duran, Duran-Hagler, Leonard-Duran, Arguello-Pryor, Benitez-Leonard and a host of other fighters and great fights.  I was always filled with awe at the capacity of punishment the human body could endure as the boxers attempted to outpunch and/or knockout their opponents.  Round after round, punch after punch, clenching, ducking, or dancing - each boxer is either in pursuit or retreat, avoiding, or landing punches. Their main goal is to win each round.  

Doesn't that sound like life?

We experience adversities and challenges all of which our body, mind and spirit somehow resiliently absorbs.  Yet, like boxers each of us have varying life skills and levels of tolerance and endurance so each punch (adversity or challenge) affects us differently. Life similar to boxing is about preparation and training, the best boxer doesn't always win the fight; more often it is the best prepared and trained boxer who wins. Those of us familiar with boxing know Marvelous Marvin Hagler should have beat my man Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987. Leonard had never boxed in the middleweight class and that was only his second fight since his 1982 retirement. But Sugar Ray won. 

On that night he was the best prepared and trained fighter!

Everyday we face an adversary, an opponent whose mission every minute of the day is to knock us out. Knowingly or unknowingly we are engaged in a fight, punches are being thrown to weaken us:  to weaken our commitment to Jesus Christ - to weaken our character - to weaken our God-consciousness - to weaken our resolve to living a life debt and drama free.  I Peter 5:8 reveals our enemy and our need to train and prepare:

Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary 

the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour (knockout).

Like Sugar Ray, you and I can beat our opponent. Sugar Ray knew he wouldn't win by fighting a purely physical fight, so he confused Hagler with boxing techniques and with physicality. Neither can we outwit the devil in physical warfare, we must confound it and use spiritual warfare such as: prayer, fasting, solitude, study of scripture, receiving communion, etc. Only through spiritual means are we guaranteed victory in both the physical and spiritual realm. When we use spiritual warfare, we can outpunch, outlast and knockout the attempts of the devil to devour our mind, body and spirit.

As we discipline ourselves through prayer, fasting, solitude, study of scripture, receiving communion, etc. both we and our enemy will discover that while we may not be the best spiritual fighters: 

 At any give time we too can be the best trained and prepared spiritual fighters!  

-- 

Much Love,

Marcus J. Singleton
Lead Pastor
Living Faith Community

Hoover, AL

Our Vision: "A diverse community of faith; inspired by the love of Jesus, committed to becoming and making disciples".